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Unplanned Pregnancy Options When You're Four Months Pregnant

If you’re four months pregnant and want to put your baby up for adoption because you want to create a better future for yourself and your child, you’re making a great choice. You can get free information about the process whenever you're ready by calling 1-800-ADOPTION.

You might still be unsure how to handle this. If you are four months pregnant and don’t want the baby, there are options for you, including: 

  • Placing your baby for adoption with an amazing adoptive family

  • Parenting your child, if you feel prepared to do so 

  • Abortion (depending on your state's laws)

It may not seem like you have much control over the situation, which can be one of the most upsetting aspects of an unplanned pregnancy. It happens without your approval, and it feels like it forces your hand. How can you make your own decisions when faced with such a difficult situation? The good news is that there are ways for you to take back control, even when you are 14 or 15 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby.

To get more support during your fourth month of pregnancy, get connected with an adoption professional today.

What’s Happening When You Are Four Months Pregnant

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the second trimester. You’re getting further along in your pregnancy, but you still have time to make some decisions about the best way to handle this when you reach 14 weeks and don’t want to be pregnant anymore.

But, before thinking about what to do about the pregnancy, it’s important to take care of yourself first. At four months pregnant, you’re experiencing some serious changes that need attention.

  • 14 Weeks Pregnant: You’re likely (hopefully) moving away from some of the worst pregnancy side-effects from the first trimester. The baby is growing rapidly — doubling in size in a matter of days — and the changes to your body are beginning to become more obvious. 

  • 15 Weeks Pregnant: You’ve probably heard about the pregnancy munchies, and now you’re probably experiencing them. Aside from this and other side effects, 15 weeks is when some mothers do a Multiple Marker Screen (MMS), which is a series of blood tests to make sure you and the baby are healthy. If you haven’t scheduled a MMS, now would be a good time to do that.

  • 16 Weeks Pregnant: Doctor visits should be more frequent at this point. The baby is growing rapidly, and it’s important to stay on top of monitoring his or her development. At this point, many mothers report feeling the baby become much more active.

  • 17 Weeks Pregnant: You’re coming up on a gender reveal. Decide if you would like to know the baby’s gender, and schedule an appointment to find out. You’re almost halfway through your pregnancy — which is a serious accomplishment.

14 or 15 Weeks Pregnant and Don’t Want the Baby: Unplanned Pregnancy Options

At any point during these weeks, you may come to the realization that you can’t be a parent. Whether it is due to finances, lack of spousal support or anything else, this is a difficult thing to realize.

It probably feels shocking, and it may bring massive anxiety into your life. If you are four months pregnant and don’t want the baby, or know that you’re not ready to raise the baby, you can still do something about that. You have several unplanned pregnancy options.

  • Parenting: Raising kids may seem impossible, but there are resources you can turn to for help. It’s important to be completely sure of your feelings when you’re thinking, “I am four months pregnant and I want to put my baby up for adoption.” Adoption can be amazing, and it’s important to know this isn’t a fleeting feeling. Parenting is still an option, if you feel like it is possible.

  • Abortion: When you reach 14 or 15 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby, your abortion options are becoming more limited. In some states, you may already be past the timeframe in which abortions are legal. In others, this could still be a choice. You would need to act quickly if you are choosing abortion, although it’s important to not rush into this decision.

  • Adoption: As we said, adoption can be amazing. Choosing adoption is brave and selfless. It allows you to move forward with your life, and it creates the opportunity for your baby to grow up in a loving family. Thanks to the increasing prominence of open adoption, you can even maintain a connection with your baby and see them thriving after placement.

Choosing Adoption for Your Baby

There are many benefits to choosing adoption, and it could be the best unplanned pregnancy option for you. We’re not saying adoption is always easy — it comes with its share of challenges, and it’s important to know that upfront. It also creates an opportunity to handle your pregnancy in a way that is best for you and the baby.

What are those benefits to adoption we mentioned? There are several:

  • Choosing the family who you think is best for your baby. When you choose adoption, you will be able to choose the perfect family for your baby. Your adoption specialist will match your preferences to adoptive family profiles for you to review.

  • Adoption financial assistance. As the prospective birth parent, our adoption financial assistance will cover your pregnancy costs and living expenses as you need throughout your pregnancy.

  • Continued communication through open adoption. Open adoption will allow you to stay in touch with your child post-placement so that you can have peace of mind that they are happy and healthy.

  • 24/7 counseling and support. Adoption is a brave and selfless choice. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a difficult one. Our adoption counselors are available if you need a safe space to vent or help coping with the emotions you may be experiencing.

  • A dedicated adoption specialist to guide you through the process. You will always get to make all of your decisions during the adoption process, but your adoption specialist will be by your side to answer questions and facilitate these decisions for you.

 “Although I felt devastated when I learned I was pregnant I eventually fell so in love with the life I created and wanted everything for him. I knew I couldn’t provide that but fully believe Ray and Donna can. We’ve kept in touch and have even gotten together since his birth,” said Nicole about her decision to choose adoption.

With American Adoptions, you are in charge of the process when you choose adoption. An unplanned pregnancy can feel like control of your own life has been taken away from you. When you are four months pregnant and don’t want the baby, adoption is a way to take control back.

You may be worried that you are too far along in your pregnancy, but we assure you this isn’t the case. In fact, the second trimester is a very common time for expectant mothers to begin creating their adoption plan.

What You Can Do Next

Only you can know what is best for you, and we don’t want you to rush into any decision. If you are 14 or 15 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby, the best thing you can do next is learn more by speaking to a professional. Call 1-800-ADOPTION today to speak with a specialist and you can get more free information about adoption.

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Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

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Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

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